Another wreck, another fatality. It hasn't been a good year for Abilene drivers. Traffic fatalities continue to rise with 23 deaths so far this year, breaking a record for the most traffic-related deaths in a single year in Abilene. Abilene Police Department are working hard to help curb this trend.

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The previous record was set in 2014 when we had 21 traffic fatalities. But, that was a whole year. Here we're sitting in September and have already surpassed that number.

Crazy, right?

Earlier this year in June, the Abilene Police Department tried to help slow the trend down with "Operation Slow Down".  At that time Abilene had already had 12 crashes that resulted in 16 deaths. Unfortunately, that did little to curb the trend as we've had 7 more traffic-related deaths since then.

As of September 21, 2022, there have been twenty-three traffic deaths that have resulted from eighteen crashes in Abilene. The highest recorded number of traffic-related deaths in any given year had been twenty-one in 2014. Our City has surpassed this number and there remains three months left in the calendar year. This is a rate of over two deaths a month. (Abilene Police Department)

Starting Monday, September 26th, APD is stepping up traffic enforcement so you'll see more of Abilene's finest on the roads.

I reached out to the Abilene Police Department and Public Information Officer, Rick Tomlin, provided me with some information relating to the traffic fatalities Abilene has had since the first of the year, and to see why this tragic trend is happening.

Abilene Police Department
Abilene Police Department
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The reasons for these crashes vary. The Department encourages the community to drive responsibly and defensively. We can all be more responsive to traffic laws no matter where we are or where we are traveling.(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/abilenepd" target="_blank">APD</a>)

As you can see, it seems that speed and failure to yield are huge factors in why 2022 has been the deadliest year for traffic fatalities in a single year.

APD is doing its part to help curb these traffic fatalities. As mentioned they launched "Operation Slow Down" earlier this year, and have generally stepped up patrol resulting in several citations.

Abilene Police Department
Abilene Police Department
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APD can only do so much though. It is up to us to make sure we're paying attention when we drive, do not drink and drive, and stay off of our phones. Doing that will go a long way in curbing these tragic events.

Big thanks to APD Public Information Officer, Rick Tomlin, for providing us with this information. 

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